March 20, 2012 - One of Canada’s leading corporations, the TD Bank Group today announced a significant investment in students in a unique Science Communication program. Deputy Chair of TD Bank Group and former New Brunswick Premier, Frank McKenna presented a cheque for $250,000 to Laurentian University President and Vice-Chancellor Dominic Giroux. The bank’s gift is part of Laurentian’s “The Next 50” fundraising Campaign and will support scholarships for students in the graduate program in Science Communication.
Since September 2005, Laurentian University and Science North have combined their strengths to offer the joint program, a mix of theory and practical study during an intensive 10-month graduate diploma program. The Science Communication program at Laurentian is the only one of its kind in North America. Its graduates are specialists in popularizing and communicating the work of leading researchers and scientists. They are employed in government and non-governmental organization industry, the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, SNOlab, museums and science centres, exhibit design companies, and in medical writing.
“At TD we believe in our corporate mission to create a positive impact in the communities we serve,” said Mr. McKenna. “To help all Canadians better understand the science that explains our world, and the impact of our social and environmental actions in it, is truly a worthy endeavour. These graduates can play a crucial role in affecting positive change in our country, and around the world, and we are proud to be able to support their efforts.”
“We at Laurentian, and our partners at Science North, are immensely gratified by the TD Bank Group’s recognition of this important program,” said Laurentian’s President Giroux. “This is one of the ways in which our graduate programs are being enhanced for the maximum benefit of all our communities. We are honoured to accept such a generous donation made on behalf of future students in Science Communication.”
“Science centres play a key role in engaging citizens with the ideas and concepts that are relevant to all of us in our rapidly changing world,” said Science North CEO Guy Labine. “This program’s graduates are proving every day that science centres and universities work very well together in promoting scientific literacy, and this investment by TD Bank Group will surely help to build future leaders in science communication.”
“We work hard on refining our communication skills, but a gift like this leaves us at a loss for words” said Ryan Jameson, a Science Communication student who spoke on behalf of his classmates. “But we sincerely thank TD Bank for its support, and for its confidence in the work we are doing."